“...it is more about being controlled by your inner demons. People struggle with themselves every day. I know I do.”
At first glance, you may not know what to make of MK Ultra. That’s probably intentional, at least in part.
But don’t let her pretty looks fool you. Some might be quick to write MK Ultra off as an “emo” act based on aesthetic alone, but one listen to this artist’s last album Kissing the Enemy proves that there’s a lot more going on here, and you’d be hard-pressed to find a label that actually works.
The first track “Suicide Options” will kick you right in the gut. MK’s screams might remind you of Filter, and the powerful guitars could have been pulled straight from Antichrist Superstar. There’s a rawness here — an authentic, grungy quality — that we haven’t heard in a long time.
Of course, MK Ultra is also capable of punk-leaning anthems (“Self Destruct”), whispery acoustic ballads (“Hold On”), and sexy electronic tracks like “On Lockdown,” the latest single (as featured on our playlist). There seems to be no limit to what this boundary-defying artist can achieve.
DARKNESS CALLING: Thanks again for chatting with us! I'll be honest; I just recently became aware of your project thanks to Instagram, where you have a massive following of "Evil Ones." What's it like having such a sizeable platform, especially in these weird times? Do you feel extra pressure to address the fucked up state of the world, even beyond your lyrics?
MK ULTRA: First, the support for my art that I create is always appreciated. I feel like the arts have been pushed aside to only entertainment. Entertainment is a big part of what I do, but there are much deeper meanings. The name MK Ultra alone represents America playing with the minds of their own people.
Groups are made up of individuals, so a group is only as good as its individuals. The bigger the group, the more potential for fuckery.
That being said, I embrace the individual. Evil Ones have no criteria, but I encourage them to be what they are or want to be.
It’s easy to shoot a tweet about the state of the world, but it’s just adding to the dividing of us as people. So beyond my lyrics, I act for change in real life — shut off and do what I need to do to look myself in the mirror.
“It’s easy to shoot a tweet about the state of the world, but it’s just adding to the dividing of us as people.”
DARKNESS CALLING: Your new single "On Lockdown" is great. Like the rest of your music, it's kind of hard to categorize (as the best music is). It has a kind of swagger and "chilled out" vibe to it that isn't necessarily your norm. For example, on Kissing the Enemy, you have a lot of songs that are much more abrasive with rock instrumentation. Where did the inspiration come from to go in this new direction?
MK ULTRA: When I do the same type of music, I get extremely bored, so I try to mix a bunch of different influences and make something new. I try to create atmosphere and a mood. It comes into my mind, then I record it. I don’t strum a guitar and think, “Oh, that sounds good.” Songs kinda just come to me.
With “On Lockdown,” it is more about being controlled by your inner demons. People struggle with themselves every day. I know I do.
DARKNESS CALLING: What can you tell us about the lyrical inspiration or concept behind "On Lockdown?" I enjoy the playful juxtaposition of having a partner "on lockdown" versus the fact that much of the world is very much on lockdown.
MK ULTRA: Yeah, I almost died when my car got hit by a bus in Los Angeles. I was “On Lockdown” by many things. The doctors, lawyers, physical therapy, all that shit.
Of course, the doctors gave me meds, then the pain specialist gave me meds. I was trapped, “On Lockdown” physically and mentally. I thought I was going to die. I accepted it, but then I started seeing sloths when I closed my eyes and decided to fight.
[Editor’s Note: Confused? We were, too, at first. But just roll with it. It’s an MK Ultra / Evil Ones thing. See below.]
DARKNESS CALLING: I went backwards and listened to a lot of your older work, particularly the entire Kissing the Enemy album and a few of your earlier singles. I think there's a surprising amount of range in there. You have playful, acoustic songs, some great, straight-forward rock songs with classic-sounding solos, and even some really guttural, industrial sounding stuff that feels like it could have been on an early Manson album. Can you speak to some of your influences and your approach when making music in general? How much of the songwriting is a solo effort versus a group effort?
MK ULTRA: I’m influenced by all types of music. I look at the songs as little movies. I tell a story, set the mood, etc. I’ve had great musicians on my albums, EP’s, and singles. I also have a great mixer/masterer located in Slothville.
With the new material, I am approaching things differently with my band members. My bass player and guitar player in London will send me songs and I will write to them. Then I will send a song to them to add to. My drummer and I have been friends before we had pubes. Same with my mixer/masterer. They are such lovely men.
“When I do the same type of music, I get extremely bored, so I try to mix a bunch of different influences and make something new.”
DARKNESS CALLING: What's next for MK Ultra? I know that COVID has messed up a lot of concert plans. Do you have any livestreams coming up, or anything else you'd like to mention to our readers?
MK ULTRA: COVID has forced a lot of rearranging. Last year, we concentrated on the European market with touring. We have two new albums in production right now and we will be supporting it live once live music is back in full force.
DARKNESS CALLING: Fun question time! If you and Donald Trump were forced to spend the day together, where would you want to go with him? What activity would you do together?
MK ULTRA: I would take Donald Trump on a boat, push him into the middle of shark-infested waters, and drive off. The world would be a better place.
DARKNESS CALLING: Are there any mainstream artists or bands that just really piss you off right now? Who and why, if so?
MK ULTRA: I like music that pushes boundaries. I’m not really seeing that in mainstream music. It’s very frustrating to see a bunch of puppets singing about nothing. I will forever hate KISS. All shitty music is KISS’s fault. They really failed us and set up a future of the worst traits in music. They look awful, sound awful, have terrible songs, and think they’re the shit. This is why we have terrible artists like 6ix9ine today. His music is so sloppy. Fact is I get “pulling out the stops,” but you need the music to back it up. KISS and 6ix9ine are just embarrassing.
We live in a society where “artists” care more about fame than music quality. It’s all downhill from here.
DARKNESS CALLING: Can you tell us about some of the weirdest / best DM's you've received from some of your "Evil Ones"?
MK ULTRA: I get a lot of fanart. I have it on my Instagram highlights. I get letters and stuffed sloths as well. I love sloths and feel more people need to learn from the sloth.
Connection through music is much more powerful than some political asshole saying the same shit. The world needs to connect through art, and art is dying.
“I like music that pushes boundaries. I’m not really seeing that in mainstream music.”
DARKNESS CALLING: Thanks again for chatting with us. Is there anything you’d like to leave our readers with?
MK ULTRA: My advice to new musicians is don’t worry about the fame. Concentrate on making music that is real. Don’t force shit. The best art takes time, and that’s what will be remembered, not your social media drama. Basically, do the opposite of Donald Trump. America is a fucking joke in so many ways now.
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